3 reasons why Dwight Howard could return to the Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard has once again been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this season and his career now looks to be slowly winding down. The 32-year-old is currently signed to a 2 year contract with the Washington Wizards, although Howard has an option on the second year, and it is likely that the player will be looking for a new team for a fourth consecutive summer.

Howard has simply not been a good fit in Washington, and his potential early exit opens the possibility of the player finally returning to the Magic. The 8-time All-Star spent the best years of his career with the Orlando franchise, and here we will explore three reasons why Howard could make a return to the team where it all began.

#3 It may be the only team that wants him

Dwight Howard is one of the most popular players in Orlando Magic history

As most NBA teams target younger and more versatile centres, Dwight Howard's pool of potential teams has narrowed drastically. At this stage of his career, Howard is also unlikely to find himself on championship-chasing teams such as the Warriors, Thunder or Celtics, and the 32-year-old has already burned bridges with teams such as the Hornets, Rockets, and Hawks.

Other franchises may also be potentially put off by his reputation as a locker room disturbance, and this means that Howard will not have a lot of options once he leaves the Wizards. The Magic, on the other hand, recognise how much Howard contributed to the city of Orlando, and should be aware that a return would draw attention to a franchise that has struggled to fill their home arena in recent years.

#2 He can still be effective

Howard is currently the Wizards starting center

Howard is nowhere near the player he was during his peak years, however, he is still a very capable NBA player. The Atlanta native remains among the best rebounders in the NBA and many forget that it was less than a year ago that Howard recorded 30 rebounds and 32 points in a game against the Nets.

In the current campaign, the centre is averaging 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds in only 26 minutes of action in nine starts for Washington. He's an effective big man, and is shooting 62 percent from the field and 60 percent from the free throw line.

#1 He wants a homecoming

Howard has stated in the past that he would love to return to where it all started

Howard has never been the most motivated player in the NBA, and players such as Kobe Bryant have famously questioned his commitment and desire to win. Despite this, Howard has stated in the past that he is desperate to rejoin the Magic, and a return to his longtime team may just be what the 32-year-old needs.

Howard claimed that he wanted to rejoin the Magic during his 2016 free-agency, although the franchise never made him an offer, and he ultimately signed with the Hawks. This was when Howard still commanded a large salary, and if the centre was willing to take a veterans minimum deal, surely the Magic would be interested in bringing back one of their best ever players.

We have seen Dwyane Wade rejuvenated since his return to the Miami Heat, and we are hoping that it can also happen with Howard.